Women Who Shaped Our City: Librarian Mary Frances Isom and Recreation Director Dorothea M. Lensch is the topic of the latest History Pub at the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd), this Monday, March 26, 2012.

As head librarian of the Library Association of Portland from 1902–1920, Mary Frances Isom (1865–1920) transformed what is now the Multnomah County Library system into a major community asset that continues to have an enormous impact on Portland’s cultural life. Dorothea M. Lensch (1907-2000) was Portland Parks and Recreation’s first Director of Recreation from 1937 and 1974 – a period in which her influential vision created comprehensive, city-wide park programs, including arts, culture, and recreation programs for shipbuilders’ families, low-income adults and children, introduced summer outdoor concerts to Washington Park and saw the formation of the Portland Opera Association, Chamber Music Northwest, Japanese Garden, the 40-Mile Loop, and the Children’s Museum.

The presenters are Tim DuRoche, a Portland-based cultural advocate, writer, jazz musician, and artist, and Penny Hummel, currently director of the Canby Public Library and a past president of the Friends of the Multnomah County Library.

Join event co-sponsors Oregon Historical Society and Holy Names Heritage Center at 7pm Monday for a beer and history! Admission is free and this event is all ages. Please bring canned food donations for the Oregon Food Bank!